Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1887-10-22
A Bale Of Cotton.
Forked Deer Blade.

ram anu puuy anu uOW III CuO lull iiuu
gathered one bale of cotton, with
which he was to start to market next
morning. The family were assem-
bled around the fire. The tired,
careworn wife looked a little more
cheerful than usual the two little
boys, Frank and Tommy, ten and
eleven years old, who had each been
promised a dollar to " spend just as
they pleased" were planning how
they would spend the money. Lit
tie Maggie, who had been promised
a new doll with real hair, was ar
ranging the scraps of calico out of
which she designed making dollie's
new dresses.
Mother, what do you want ?"
said the husband.
81 AN get along with my old
clothes, John /; but you have to be
out in the cold SO much you had bet
ter get you a pair Of good high boots,
some warm stuff for me to make you
a pair oftrousers and a coat. Frank
will need some shoes and a pair of
trousers; Tommy wants a coat; l
can make him some trousers out OF
your old ones. Get some dark calico
for a dress for baby, and some fan.
mel to make him a petticoat. Mag
gle needs some shoes, and a dress,
and some aprons, and you had bet
ter get a dollars worth of quinine."
nYes; then I'll get a barrel OF
-four, five gallons Of molasses, two
dollars worth of sugar, and the same
of coffee. That will take about all
the money! get for the bale Of cot
ton, 80 you will not get q thing, Bet
tie."
"I don't need anything, John. !
can turn my last years dress and
besides, the weather will be cold,
and I'll not 60 out much" And she
kissed her sleeping babe, while a
tear trickled down her face. In her
unselfishness she had arranged to pro-
vide for all the family except herself.
She did not tell her husband that her
shoes were worn through the sole,
and that the dress she proposed to
turn had been turned before.
Next morning John and his two
little boys were on the bale of cotton
and on their way to town by day
light. Papa was in a fine humor,
and the little boys were in high glee
in anticipation of the good time they
were to have and the nice things
they were to buy with their dollar.
In the afternoon the wagon drove
up to the warehouse, where the cot
ton was sold; the team was unhitch'
ed and fed, and the boys left tc
watch the things" while Papa
went to the bank to get the check
chashed. The check was paid and
John put the money in his pocket
and had started back to his wagon
when he met a friend ~ who said
"John, let's 90 and get a drink
After they had drank at the
friends expense, John ordered tht
drinks" then another friend
came in and they drank again ant
again. BY this time.John was pretty
drunk. He sat down by the stove t.
sober up before he went back It
where he left his little boys, prepare
tory to making his purchases. Blu
the effects of the warn fire soor
put him to sleep; he forgot his hare
summers work ; he forgot his tired
wife at home; he forgot his two lit
tie boys shivering in the cold; h,
forgot his manhood as he sat 70,
hours in a drunken stupor. Wher
he awoke it was night! He stag
gered up and out into the darkness
when he remembered his money
Putting his hand into his pocket, HI
found it was gone! Half dazed will
drink and a sense of his loss, he re
turned to his wagon. The mule,
were asleep on their feet tn,
two little boys had wrapped them
selves in an old quilt and were asleeI
under the wagon.
John hitched up the mules, awok,
the boys and told them to get in
then they started homeward. TIL,
little ones knew by the wicked oathl
their father swore at the mules tina,
he was drunk. So they nestled to
gether, and during the long weary
ride home they never once said
Father where is our dollar ? Where
are the nice things for mother and
the baby and little sister ?"
But we will not follow them home
We do not want TO see their little
fooac hxy tho liobk oF Al ~ -